Study shows inadequate psychiatric care in assisted living facilities

By John M Grohol PsyD
November 11, 2004

Research conducted among elderly persons residing in assisted living (AL) facilities in Maryland reveal high prevalence of dementia and other psychiatric disorders, but a lack of recognition and treatment by caregivers.

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, dementia is a mental disorder affecting an individual’s ability to think, speak, reason, remember and move. Many types of this disorder exist, with the most common cause being Alzheimer’s Disease. Of the 198 randomly selected AL residents surveyed in the study, 134 (67.7%) were diagnosed with dementia. While family or caregivers recognized 78 %u2013 80% of the cases, only about half had been adequately evaluated and treated. The study also found that 26.3% of residents were suffering from other psychiatric disorders, most commonly depression and anxiety, with similarly low rates of treatment.

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues, and the intersection of technology and psychology since 1992.